During the ongoing 60th Munich Security Conference, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized India's robust relationship with Western nations, asserting that it continues to strengthen with each passing day.
Participating in a panel discussion titled 'Growing the Pie: Seizing Shared Opportunities', Jaishankar shared the platform with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and German counterpart Annalena Baerbock. Responding to a query posed by Financial Times' Roula Khalaf regarding the emergence of BRICS as a challenge to Western dominance, Jaishankar highlighted the importance of distinguishing between being non-Western and anti-Western in the contemporary global landscape.
Jaishankar remarked, "I think it's important today to make a distinction between being non-Western and anti-Western. I would certainly characterize India as a country that is non-Western but maintains an extremely robust relationship with Western nations, which is continuously improving."
Acknowledging BRICS as a diverse and significant grouping, Jaishankar underscored its constructive role in fostering dialogue and cooperation among its members over the past decade and a half.
Echoing Jaishankar's sentiments, Blinken affirmed that the relationship between India and the United States is currently at its pinnacle. He emphasized the need to avoid rigid bloc-based approaches in global affairs and highlighted the multifaceted collaboration between the two countries across various domains.
The meeting between Jaishankar and Blinken on the sidelines of the conference also delved into discussions on maritime security in the Red Sea. According to a statement by US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, Blinken emphasized the complementary nature of the US and Indian approaches to maritime security in the region, emphasizing their shared commitment to ensuring economic stability and lasting peace in the Middle East.
Jaishankar, in a social media post, elaborated on his talks with Blinken, which encompassed a wide range of regional and global issues, including the situation in Ukraine, West Asia, and the Indo-Pacific, alongside an assessment of the ongoing progress in bilateral relations.
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